Strike of Team Aero

“I fail to understand…” A young man dressed in a military uniform leered over his knuckles. “How will starting a town beautification committee benefit us?”

“But…” A violet-haired girl in a grey-blue flight suit protested. “We’ll make the town even more beautiful!”

He leered. “We live in trees… We are as environmentally friendly as humanly possible.”

“What about the sky?” The girl questioned. “With all the air travel, there is need to show why we need to keep pollution down!”

“Winny…” He glared. “Listen. Land and sea conservation are focused, because that’s the winning gyms. If we win tournaments, we can press air quality.” He coughed. “And some people make their living off of air travel.”

“Aww…” She moaned. “I thought that being the head Gym Leader would be good enough…”

“You’re the head Gym Leader because I’m here to do all of the administrative work.” He noted.

“But then I must be a good Gym Leader for picking the best staff!”

“…No. Your father’s a good Gym Leader for picking the best staff.”

The girl started to sniffle. “Why do you have to be so mean?” She ran out to the town.

Well… I guess introductions are needed. That was the one and only Winona of Fortree City. She may seem cool when at the Feather Carnival, and impressive in battle, but she’s a complete airhead any other time. She’s always excited to make this region beautiful, almost to the point that I think she would kill someone to do it.

As for myself? My name is Ariaver Hasaki, the business administrator and Lieutenant of the Fortree Gym. I was recruited by Winona’s father when he was touring Johto and saved from a lame life of piloting and even gave me a rare Bagon pup. You might wonder why I haven’t taken over the gym. That’s because I have a few… personality issues.

Later that day, Ariaver had taken to his work, and Winona decided to appear again. “Aria… I’m sorry for being so unreasonable today.”

Ariaver looked up. “That’s okay, I was just as at fault.”

“But…” She protested. “I just wanted to keep this town like it was before papa disappeared.”

Aria sighed. “It’s been seven years.” He smiled sadly. “We can’t seal this town for a decade. Let’s just not ruin the place, and your dad will be happy enough.”

“Really?”

“Promise.”

“Why can’t your other side be nice like you?” She shot.

In Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn there is a condition that was independently recorded as possessing a second mind or soul. While known now as Multiple Personality disorder, back then it meant someone was so powerful that they had to have their mind split to handle the wisdom. Sadly enough for me, that is only believed by elders.

“Dratini?” Aria looked. “Can you bring this to Winny?”

“Tini!” The small dragon cheered as it handled the document.

“…I love that dragon…”

On the other side, Winona looked under the note. “Wow… Fifty percent profit?” She glanced. “That’s amazing! How does Aria do this?” She read through the report. “But what is ‘support expense’?”

“Sage Aria.” A voice announced over the vid-phone. “We have taken care of Team Magma, what’s your next command?”

After a moment, Aria gave the command. “Fall back for now. Team Aqua will attack next, most likely throwing up a storm from the Weather Institute,”

The other end nodded. “Once again, Sage Aria has shown his supreme wisdom. I will call again for instruction from General Avery.”

“Ah… Everything is going according to plan…” Aria smiled as he turned off the vid-phone. “An army dedicated to protecting the skies… I can see it now…”

In Aria’s mind a vision of his employer appeared. “I’m so touched that you would do this for me, Aria…” She seemed to say. “Now that I don’t have to worry about protecting the sky, I can think about more important things…”

Aria turned to this thought. “Like what?”

The wind trainer put his hand over her heart. “Perhaps I was thinking about adding a few new members to the Gym.”

Aria blinked. “New members? I thought you wanted to keep this as a family business.”

Winona smiled. “I do.” With that, she started to unzip her flight suit and guide his hand down her chest.

Aria shook the vision away. “She would never do that.”

“Do what?” Winona asked as she opened the door.

“Never mind.” He shook. “I was thinking if a Gyarados would make a good addition to your team, but I didn’t think that you could tolerate a Magikarp for that long and deal with the ill temper.”

“Oh… That would be a problem…” She paused before her eyes sharpened. “But I have other business than improving my party…”

“What is that?”

“No, what is this?” Winona questioned, producing a news report. “There is a news report about a Team Aero that is running rule over the environment.”

“Is there a problem, Winny?” Aria noted.

“They might make our gym look bad…”

“How does Wallace’s gym look with Aqua?” He questioned.

“Well… He didn’t have any accusations, so…”

“So don’t worry!” He cheered, spinning around her and forcing her face into a smile. “We’ll be fine!”

Winona turned and leered. “Are you sure you’re not involved?”

“I promise…” He smiled. “I’m not involved with this team.”